Kept this one simple. Morgan was starting to feel sick again--fever and coughing. I took her to the insta-care while Gavin and the kids watched this show and played games. Morgan's on a stronger antibiotic now and doing much better.
The Anderson family has grown since we first started this tradition from the 16 grandchildren and my aunts and uncles to about 80 of us. 
Maybe it's not exactly a Christmas movie but it was released at Christmas-time. It had a great message but was a little slow to hold my little one's attention for that long. And I love that Disney finally has a black Princess!!! I liked seeing the 2-D animation again. Makes you feel like your seeing the story book come to life.
Morgan, Griffin and Mia were all in bed for this activity. They were more than ready at 7 pm after spending 4 hours straight in the car and no naps. Morgan's had a cold and cough for a few days. Took her to the doctor yesterday--ear infection and pneumonia. Thought it was best to keep her inside and in bed.
We have 2 different trains that go under our Christmas tree but haven't had either of them out for many years because of all the little grabby hands. We decided to try it again this year and set it up as part of our advent activity. Unfortunately we still have two kids with very grabby hands (Mia and Griffin) and it has been torn apart more than it's been together, but Ryan has been up for the challenge of putting it back together and loves to watch it go around the tree. I was surprised to hear Ryan say that setting up the train has been his favorite activity so far. Good reminder that the simple things usually mean the most.
Every Christmas my mom has all of the grandkids up to her house to make gingerbread cookies. The kids LOVE it and all the parents enjoy eating all of the cookies. It's a win-win. Gingerbread cookies and peppermint ice cream -- it tastes like Christmas!
The gift of Christmas isn't wrapped up in presents or parties. The gift of Christmas is Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten of the Father, the Son of God. As you follow Him, you put people first. You may spend less time in lines and more time serving others. You may spend less money on - and more time with – the people you love. You may lose yourself and you may find everything else that matters." (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
This is my favorite activity that we do all month. The Live Nativity. It's what Christmas is all about -- The birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ! I can't believe how much work, time and sacrifice is put into this event. It is amazing!
Baby calves (Mia and Morgan's favorite)
I couldn't take pictures inside because of my flash but it is amazing. Chickens everywhere. Joseph's donkey. People in the village--carving wood, making pottery, weaving, selling fruit, filling pitchers with water, begging, etc. And the inn keeper was standing in a doorway telling everyone that we couldn't stay at his inn. There was no room at the inn. As we turned the corner we saw this--It's kind of hard to see but that is a tiny little newborn baby with Mary and Joseph by his side. It was amazing!! Even Morgan stopped saying, "all done!" (the hammering and chiseling on the wood at the very beginning scared her) and went to get a closer look at the baby Jesus. I wish we could do this every night! Not stand in the cold. Just witness the sweet spirit of Christmas.
P.S. We missed having Jack with us. He complained about the activity and that he didn't want to go stand in the cold. It wasn't good timing for me. I was already stressed trying to get 6 kids bundled up in snow clothes by myself and to the event on time. So he got his wish and was left at home. He had a change of heart when we got home. I'm not ready for this teenager stuff quite yet.
Not a lot to say on this one except animation has come a LONG way since I was a kid and what was with all those big, long noses?
Ryan has officially graduated from Cub Scouts. He earned his Arrow of Light and Webelos badge and is now off to bigger and better things . . . Boy Scouts. Which means I won't have a boy in cubs until 5 more years. And I'm not gonna lie--that thought made me a little teary-eyed. It's been a big part of our lives these past 4 years and we'll miss it but before I could get too many tears out I luckily remembered I'm the one over cub scouts in our primary and won't really get a chance to miss it. Ryan loved (understatement) cubs and hopefully this enthusiasm will continue into Boy Scouts.
Gavin kept trying (unsuccessfully) to turn our dinner conversation into a gratitude moment but it just wasn't going to happen, but I do have so much to be thankful for. Thanksgiving is all about family and being together and this was more evident than ever this year. I am so grateful for my amazing husband and 6 children, and also very thankful for my parents and siblings (and their spouses). 
Ryan has been asking non-stop for another hamster. His first 2 hamsters died after a few weeks (hibernation and stress) and we decided to take a break for awhile. These past few weeks it's been non-stop hamster talk from Ryan. Things like, "Hey mom come out to the garage, there's something I want to show you." and then once in the garage, "Ok, now get in the car and let's go get a hamster!" He didn't want any old hamster though. It needed to be a Black Bear Hamster. I started calling around a few days before his birthday and called about 10 pet stores before I finally found a store that had one in stock. I took Ryan to make sure it was all he had been dreaming about. It was instant love. 
22 months later and I'm still head over heels in love with this little girl! She is growing up quickly and proving she doesn't have to be sweet all of the time. Something clicked last month and she decided she could be just as feisty as the rest of them (meaning Griffin and Morgan). She's figured out how to hold her own and show real attitude. 
Disneyland is so much fun at Halloween with all the holiday decor and rides. But it also means the park gets really crowded with all the locals and tourists. We lucked out with having Morgan in our family--she got a disability pass that allowed us all to go right on the rides without having to wait. The pass requires that Morgan be on the ride in order to use it which meant Morgan went on A LOT of rides that she wasn't too excited about (the Matterhorn) but it helped the most with the rides that are so short but have the longest lines and no fast passes, like Dumbo.
Now back to reality. Jack got the flu while we were on the trip and missed one of the days at Disneyland and now I have it. It seems everyone is getting it this year. Just a bummer it has to be over Halloween.
So there you have it. My first grader is learning spelling just like she should be doing in first grade. 
